Moving House? Here's Your Locksmith Checklist

You never know how many sets of keys exist for a property you've just bought or rented, which makes move-in day the obvious moment to sort locks out.

Why change the locks straight away

Previous owners, tenants, tradespeople, estate agents and neighbours doing favours could all have had a key cut over the years — there's no way to know how many are out there.

What to check on day one

Every external door, not just the front — back doors, side gates and any outbuildings are just as important and often overlooked.

Don't forget window locks

Ground floor and easily reached upper windows are worth checking too, especially on an older property where locks may not have been updated in a while.

Getting spare keys cut

Once new locks are fitted, get a couple of spares cut and give one to someone you trust, rather than waiting until you actually need it.

Booking ahead

If you know your move-in date, it's worth booking a locksmith in advance rather than trying to arrange it on the day itself when things are already hectic.